Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine Monterey Chapter - KOV

cal chapter of the KOV. The inaugural celebration took place February 5, 1977 at the Monterey Peninsula Country Club with great pageantry and flair! The Grand Commander and Grand Officer from Sacramento conducted the very first assemblage and I had the honor of being inducted as the Master Commander. Joining me as founding officers of the Monterey Chapter were Master Vice Commander, John Nardone; Master Secretary, Frederick Dame; Master Treasurer, Bart Bechtel; Master Historian, William E. Hammonds; Master Scribe, Frederick Rainer; Master of Food Experience, Robert V. Little; Chief Master of Ceremony, Alan Fields; Master of Ceremony, P. Deen Rowe and Master Cup Bearer, Edward Stark. The inaugural celebration inducted thirty Knights and Gentle Ladies into the order. Also involved in the formation, were Brother Norbert Korte of the Novitiate Wine Cellars and Richard Culver who worked for Merv Sutton at Nielson's Market. Those involved in forming the Monterey Chapter were dedicated to the principal that there should be a minimum of seriousness and maximum of fun and humor. Wine after all is meant to celebrate, share and complement fine food, and the original Cadre of the Knights of the Vine had little difficulty accepting that responsibility! The Knights of the Vine beginnings on the Monterey Peninsula were filled with creative imagination. The first assemblage opened the way for many exciting venues, gatherings and great wine as the Chapter immediately gained momentum and became highly desired by those in love with discovering the wines of California and America. Per Vitem, Ad Vitam

David G. Armanasco